In October 2022, information emerged that Netflix was planning to launch a cloud-based gaming streaming service, practically a year later, the information is already official about the launch of the mentioned service.
Netflix is kicking off the first public trials of its cloud-streamed games. Starting Monday, select Netflix members in Canada and the UK will be able to check out Netflix games streaming to select TVs, connected TV devices and on the web at Netflix.com.
The company first launched its smartphone gaming offerings as a free perk for subscribers. in November 2021. Until now, the company's games were only available for iOS and Android. By bringing games to TVs and web browsers via cloud streaming, subscribers will be able to play Netflix games in many more places, and it also means that Netflix can start competing for game time on TVs and PCs.
The two games currently available are the first Oxenfree (made by Night School Studio, which is now owned by Netflix) and a new game, Molehew's Mining Adventure, which Verdu describes as a “Gem Mining Arcade Game”.
How will users play?
When playing on TV, you will control the games using your smartphone. On Android, the control will be accessible through the Netflix app, while on iOS, you will need to download a special control app.
Which devices are compatible?
Here are the connected TVs and TV devices that support Netflix games for now:
- Amazon Fire TV Streaming Media Players
- Chromecast with Google TV
- LG TV
- Nvidia Shield TV
- Roku devices and TVs
- Samsung Smart TVs
- walmart online
Even if there are a few hiccups, I bet Netflix is fine with that; it's clearly starting small to give itself room to iron out any teething problems. And since Netflix sees cloud gaming as a “added value”, which is closer to Microsoft's approach than Google's Failed Stadia Strategy.
